To fill 13 vacancies, the Victoria Police Department created a new position.

Traffic Safety Officer David Brogger has been challenged to fill those jobs as the department’s recruitment officer, a position that was previously spread across the training unit.

“We were looking at somebody to focus all their efforts in the area of recruiting,” said Chief J.J. Craig. “In selecting Brogger, it was shown that he does demonstrate a passion and pride in this organization – and that is exactly the person I want to go out there.”

Brogger joined the police department about nine years ago and has occupied several positions, which involved patrol, field training and traffic safety.

“I just like being out in the streets as a police officer in a uniform,” Brogger said about his previous position, “and I still get to do that.”

As the recruitment officer, Brogger will take a hands-on approach to fielding new officers and recruiting at police and military academies.

“I want recruits to think of Victoria for their law enforcement career,” he said. “It’s a great place to work and raise a family.”

The police department is up against many obstacles when it comes to recruitment, such as larger markets and the oil industry, Brogger said.

“We are kind of in a unique position in Victoria,” he said. “We not only lose to other areas that may be more attractive, but we also lose a lot to big money.

“It’s really hard for us to compete with the oil field.”

Brogger said he can relate to these obstacles because he came to the police department after working in a factory plant for 12 years.

With the support of his wife, Ann, Brogger said he was encouraged to enroll in school, which is where he was introduced to the police academy.

“I want people to know that this is a fun job, a good job,” he said. “I have a passion to make our department a place where people want to come and work.”

To be more attractive to applicants, the department increased salaries and streamlined the hiring process, which in the past took anywhere from four to eight months.

A cadet in the police academy starts out at $28,683 a year, and the annual salary of a trainee is $38,328.

After a six-month probationary period, a beginning officer can advance to a patrol or a detective position, which starts at $42,264 a year.

Craig said he expects the vacancies to be filled by the end of next year, but more importantly, he said he wants strong relationships to be developed.

“I want him to be someone who is going out and talking to prospective candidates in the region. I want him to be that point of contact.

“I don’t look at it as losing an officer off the streets. I look at it as investing.”